Walk It Out

The other day in school one of our lecturers talked about languages and the different places they are being used and taught. And she mentioned that the four most spoken languages in London are not even being taught here. There's no academical institution in London for studying them, which means that they are learned at home or picked up in the streets. She went on about how that was the case not only in the UK but all over the world. So I thought about Germany and Korea, and how different those countries are, in terms of linguistics.

It's funny though, studying at SOAS, I mean. You come across so many different people, it's super inspiring and, to be completely honest, a little demotivating at the same time. Because all those clever students, multilinguistic kids, hungry for more more more, I'm not sure I can hold up with them. I'm not sure I want to hold up with them. Studying languages and linguistics and translation requires a lot of commitment. There are people who live for their studies. The readings, the lectures, the assignments, all of it. I'm not sure I'm like that.

I feel like I get motivated just as much when I walk through the streets here. Sure, school is really great to be a part of, and mostly because of the amazing people I study with, but to me there's equally much to learn while running around markets and museums, foreign streets and foodstalls. There's so much to discover on a quiet walk from here to there. That's why for anybody who comes to London and doesn't know where to go, or what to think, I'd suggest to just go. Sharpen your senses and start walking. Believe me, it's the best.